Mobile Game Downloads Surge Thanks to Increased Accessibility via Netflix

"Red Dead Redemption" Mobile Downloads Surge
Popularity Driven by IP Recognition and Netflix Accessibility

Rockstar Games' "Red Dead Redemption," released in a mobile version through Netflix, ranked first globally in download growth. Industry analysts attribute this success to the increased accessibility brought by the combination of a well-known console intellectual property (IP) and Netflix.

According to Sensor Tower on January 19, the number of global mobile game downloads last month reached 3.75 billion, up 3.7% from the previous month. The most downloaded game was "Block Blast," followed by "Roblox" and "Free Fire."

Among the fastest-growing titles in downloads, "Red Dead Redemption," released on the 2nd of last month, took the top spot with 6 million downloads. This IP, belonging to the open-world action-adventure genre, was first launched on console platforms in May 2010. As of last year, its cumulative global sales reached 106 million copies. Notably, "Red Dead Redemption 2," considered a new benchmark for open-world games, has sold a total of 79 million copies, further boosting the popularity of the series.

The strong performance of "Red Dead Redemption" on mobile is attributed to the original IP’s popularity and the easy accessibility provided by Netflix. Sensor Tower commented, "This demonstrates how quickly a well-known console IP can gain traction in the market when combined with a subscription-based distribution model," adding, "Touch-optimized controls, short session design, and streamlined gameplay on the mobile platform, in addition to the original story, have all contributed to increased accessibility."

Netflix is expanding beyond movies and dramas to target the gaming market. The company entered the gaming business in 2021 and has since introduced over 100 games in the past three years. These include games based on well-known IPs such as "Grand Theft Auto" and "Sonic," as well as original drama series IPs like "Squid Game."

Additionally, on the 6th of last year, Netflix signed an acquisition agreement with Warner Bros., including its subsidiary Warner Bros. Games. In June, Netflix plans to exclusively offer a soccer simulation game in partnership with FIFA, coinciding with the World Cup. Any subscriber will be able to enjoy the game for free on their smartphone without the need for a separate console device.

Through its mobile game service, Netflix aims to increase user engagement on its platform and encourage viewers to consume more video content. An industry insider stated, "Netflix once attempted to develop blockbuster games but shifted its focus to distributing casual mobile games. With similar services being offered by Amazon Prime, the boundaries between platforms will become even more blurred."